Clothes washing machines



Aug. 16, 1955 w. ALTORFER, JR 2937157330 CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES FiledMarch 20, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR AJp/ieus Alforfer; in

W ATTORNEY Aug. 16, 1955 A. w. ALTORFER, JR

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 20, 1952 INVENTOR WAZZar/r, f- QZ: J

ATTORNEY Alp/2911s United States Patent 0 Lad 2,715,330 GLOTHES WASHINGMACHINES Alpheus W. Altorfer, Jr., Peoria, Ill., assignor to AltorferBros. Company, Peoria, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March20, 1952, Serial No. 277,617

8 Claims. (Cl. 68131) This invention relates to improvements in clotheswashing machines and particularly to the type of washing machine setforth in the prior application of Alpheus W. Altorfer, Jr., and John A.Castricone, Serial No. 186,806, filed September 26, l950.

In the aforesaid patent application, the washing L machine isconstructed with a dasher so mounted on a drive shaft as to be moved inan orbit upon operation of the shaft in accomplishing a washing actionin the tub of the machine. The dasher was mounted in an offset relationwith respect to the drive shaft by a crank member and a journal pin.

The dasher preferably has a close fit with the bottom of the tub so asto exclude the clothes therefrom during the washing action and toprevent the clothes from getting lodged between the lower edge of thedasher and the tub. A gasket is provided ordinarily on the bottom of thedasher to maintain a tight fitting relation with the tub when the partsare in their proper operative positions. However, in building thesemachines, there is a considerable allowance for tolerance between theoperative parts and it is therefore difficult to maintain the propersealing action between the dasher and the tub. Moreover, due tovariations in fitting of the different parts of the dasher mounting anddriving means, noise and squeaks sometimes develop, which areundesirable.

One object of this invention is to improve the mounting of the dasher inthe washing machine tub so as to eliminate the foregoing objections andto ensure of proper operation thereof upon rotation of the drive shaftconnected therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide for an adjustment of theposition of the dasher with respect to the drive shaft and tub so as togive proper clearance at the bottom of the dasher while maintaining aproper liquid tight joint between the parts and a close fit of therubber gasket at the bottom of the tub.

Still another object of the invention is to improve the mounting of thedasher on the drive shaft so as to provide for smooth operation thereof,eliminating noise and squeaks with proper liquid tight seal of theoperating parts of the mounting, when the machine is finally completedin operative relation.

These objects may be accomplished by providing a connecting rod assemblybetween the dasher and the head on which it is mounted, for axialadjustment of the dasher in a very simple and ready manner after it isassembled in the tub and connected with the drive shaft. The connectingrod is tubular and has a shaft extending therethrough for bodilyadjustment of the dasher and its mounting head axially with respect tothe offset pin or crank by means of Which the dasher is operated. Theseparts provide not only for axial adjustment of the dasher, but also takeup for variations between the parts in manufacture, thereby eliminatingundesirable noise during the operation of the machine. Moreover, theadjustment of the dasher bodily ensures 2,715,330 Patented Aug. 16, 1955of the maintenance of proper fit between the lower edge of the dasherand the bottom of the tub.

The invention is illustrated in one embodiment in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a washing machine to whichthis invention is applied, with parts in elevation; and

Fig. 2 is a cross section through the dasher and its mounting.

The invention is shown in Fig. l as applied to a Washing machine of thecharacter set forth more in detail in the above mentioned application,Serial No.

186,806, filed September 26, 1950, to which reference may be had formore complete disclosure of the general structure and characteristics ofsaid machine.

The washing machine includes a main casing generally designated at 1,within which is mounted a rotary tub 2, carried by a tubular shaft 3connected with the bottom of the tub 2 by means of a casting generallyindicated at 4 and shown more in detail in Fig. 2.

The tubular shaft 3 is driven by a pulley 5, operatively connected withthe lower end thereof, from a power motor 6, by means of a belt 7.

The motor 6 is mounted within the casing 1 and carries a pulley assembly8 on the armature shaft thereof, which pulley assembly 8 is connectedalso by a belt 9 with a pulley 10, mounted on a drive shaft 11 thatextends upwardly through the tubular shaft 3, as shown in Fig. 2. Thedrive shaft 11 is adapted to operate the dasher for washing clothes,while the tubular shaft 3 is operated to rotate the tub 2 for removingwater therefrom in drying the clothes.

The drive shaft 11 extends into the lower end of the tub 2 and carrieson its upper end an ofiset crank member 12 secured as by a pin 13 to theshaft 11. The crank member 12 has an offset sleeve portion 14 out ofaxial alignment with the shaft 11 for bodily movement around the axis ofthe shaft upon rotation of the latter. A crank pin 15 is inserted intothe sleeve portion 14 and secured rigidly therein as by a locking pin16.

A bearing sleeve 17 surrounds the sleeve portion 14, and a secondbearing sleeve 18 surrounds the crank pin 15 at a point adjacent theupper end thereof.

A head is designated generally at 19 and usually is in the form of acasting made of plastic or other suitable material. The head 19surrounds the crank pin 15, being journaled on the bearing sleeves 17and 18 for freedom of turning movement relative to the crank pin andcrank member 12, a portion of the head 19 extending down around thesleeve portion 14 in bearing relation therewith.

The head 19 supports a dasher generally designated at 20, which isseated on the head and while not positively secured thereto, is held inalignment therewith by pins 19 connected with the dasher and extendinginto openings in the head.

The dasher 26 has a long tapered frustro-conical body portion,designated at 21, with a widely flaring lower portion 22, formed ofmetal, plastic, or other suitable material. The body 21 is provided withflexible vanes 23 thereon adapted to function for washing clothes asdescribed more fully in the above-mentioned application. The vanes 23are transversely ribbed and are secured by fastenings 21 to integralblades on the dasher.

The lower portion of the dasher 20 has a gasket 24 mounted thereon,usually of rubber, to fit fairly close to the bottom of the tub 2 toexclude articles of clothing from access to the operating parts of themechanism. The dasher preferably is in such relation to the bottom ofthe tub in normal operation that the rubber gasket 24 is deflectedlaterally, as illustrated in Fig. 2, where the resiliency of the gasketwill maintain the latter in sealing relation with. the bottonrof thetub.

The body portion 21 of the dasher 29 has an inturned sleeve portion 25,which is open at the top of the latter. A connecting rod25 has abellj-shaped lower portion-27 telescoped over a. sleeve portion Zdonthehead' 19, into a seated'positionagainst: the topof'the headi. Capscrews29 may be used to secure the bell portion 27 rigidly to.

the,- head 1 9. The upper: endof-v the. connecting rod 26 extendsintothe sleeve portion-25tof the dasher, as shown in Fig 2.

A tie rod 3i extends throughthe tubular. connecting rod 26, and has athreaded connection with the upper end portionthereof at 31, for axialadjustment of. the tie rod 3i; relative to the tubular connecting rod25. The upper end portion of; the tie rod 39 is externally screwthreadedand adapted to receive. thereon a iock nut 32, adapted to bear against arubberv gasket 32,. on the upper end of the connecting rod 26. A screwdriver slot 33 is formed in the extreme upper end of the rod adapted toreceive a screw driver for turning the latter for adjustment of theparts.

The lower end of the rod 30bears upon a ball 34 seated in a cavity 35formedin the upper end of the crank pin 15.

The crank pin 15 has a split spring ring 36 secured in a surroundinggroove therein, against the lower side of which spring ring is seated abearing plate 37. A coil spring 33is interposed between the plate 37 anda bearing plate-39 -seated upon the upper end of the sleeve bearing 18.The sleeve bearing 18 is secured by a pin 49 to the sleeve portion 28'of the head 19.

It will be apparent that the crank pin 15is fixed axially relativetothedrive shaft 11, but can move in an orbit about the latter. seated uponthe ball 34 carried by the crank pin 15. The tie rod 30 supports theconnecting rod and the head 19. The bearing sleeve 13- being pinned tothe head 19, has'springtension applied thereto by means of-the spring 38normally tending to urge the head downward relative to the crank pinlii.However, upon turning of the tie'rod 30, the connectins rod 26 may beadjusted axially up or down, and thereby acting through the head 19 toadjust the axialpositionof the dasher-Zt). The spring 38 normally tendsto urge the dasher downward relative to the crank pin-15., and'the driveshaft-11.

W'henthese parts are assembled in the washing machine tub 2, there isoften'some play and-clearance between the operating parts as a result oftolerance in the manufacture thereof. However, by adjusting the tie rod30, the relative disposition of the/parts may be varied to take up theslack and thereby. eliminate noise and squeaks as a result of theoperation-of the machine.

At-the same time the dasher Zii-should be bodily adjusted sons to movethe'gasket 24 into proper sealing relation with the bottom of the tub 2,thereby preventing the entrance of articles of clothing into the regionof the center of the tub. The adjustment should be such as to deflectthe rubber gasket, substantially as shown in Fig. 2, to maintain tensionon the bottom of the tub during the operation of the dasher.

A cap plate is shown at 41 screw-threaded at 42 on the upper end ofthetie rod 30. This cap plate may be applied after the adjustment has beenmade and it will serve also to retain the dasher removably on theoperating'rnechanism since a sliding fit is provided between the sleeveportion 25 and the upper end of the connecting rod 26; whereby thedasher fits loosely upon the operating.

mechanism and may be removed bodily therefrom after removal of the capplate 41. The cap plate 41 has a skirt portion 43 thatfits around theupper end portion of the dasher and is provided also with a frictiongasket 44'therein toprevent the loosening of the cap.

A flexible rubber sleeve 45 surrounds the upper end portion of the drivemechanism inside the dasher 20. The

The lower end of the tie rod- 3% is sleeve is secured by a surroundingclamp 46 to the tub center. casting. 4, andby. a surrounding c1amp-47tothehead 19. The effective sealed relation thus is maintained aroundthe operating parts to exclude water therefrom and from the drive columnat the center. At the same time, the sleeve 45 serves to retain thedasher 20 against bodily rotation on its axis 15 since it is heldresiliently by the sleeve 45 against such turning movement. It has beenfound that additional. means to control the rotation of the dasher onits axis is unnecessary when a sleeve of this character is used.

The operation of the washing machine will be apparent frornthe abovementioned application, with little additional explanation necessary. Thewater and clothes are placed in the tub 2 for washing. The operation ofthe motor 6 drives the shaft 11, and through a slip clutch connectionthe tub 2 and its tubular shaft 3 are not driven during this washingaction.

The crank motion provided by the crank pin 15 moves the dasher 20through an orbit as the shaft 11 is rotated, and this continues untilthe washing actionis completed. Then upon operation of the motor 6'inthe opposite direction, both shafts 3 and-11- are power driven to-spinthe tub 2 and expel the water from the clothes, as described in theabove-mentioned application.

The other details of the washing machine are not described orillustrated herein, but will be apparent from the above mentionedapplication.

While the-invention has been illustrated and described in oneembodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be madetherein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a washing machine, the combination of a drive shaft, a dasher, acrank pin carried by the drive shaft, a headconnected with the dasherand slidably mounted on the crank pin and supporting the dasher, aspring interposed between the crank pin and the head and hearing.thereagainst normally tending to move the head'in one directionrelative to the crank pin, and means forming an axially adjustableconnection between the head and-the crank pin.

2. In a'washing machine, the combination of a drive shaft, a dasher. acrank pin carriedby the drive shaft,

a head connected with the dasher and slidably mounted on the crank pin,a spring interposedbetween the, crank pin and the head and bearingthereagainst normally tend ing to move the head in one directionrelative to the crank pin, a connecting rod'secured to the head. andextending upwardly therefrom in the dasher, a tie rod supported on thecrank pin and extending through the connecting rod, and means forming anaxially adjustable, connection between the connecting rod and the tierod.

3: In a washing machine, the combination of a drive shaft, a crankmember on the drive shaft, a dasher hav ing an elongated tubularbodyportion and surrounding the drive shaft, a crank pin carried by thecrahkmemher. and offset from the axis. of the drive shaft, said,

crank pin having a recess in the upper end thereof, .a ball seated inthe recess, a tie rod extending into the recess and seatedon the ball, ahead slidably mounted on the crank pin for axial movement relative.thereto, acoiled sprlng surrounding the crank pin and, interposedbetween the crank pin and'the head and bearingthereagainst normallytending to move the latter in one direction relative to the crank pin,said head supporting ,-the dasher,

end of the tie rod and enclosing the upper end of the dasher.

4. In a washing machine, the combination ofva. drive member, a dasher, ahead surrounding the. drive. meme ber and axially movable relativethereto, a coiled spring surrounding the drive member and interposedbetween the drive member and the head normally tending to move thelatter in one direction axially relative to the drive member, means forconnecting the dasher with the head, a support on the driven member, andmeans forming an adjustable connection between the support and the headfor adjusting the support and dasher relative to the drive memberaxially thereof in opposed relation to the spring.

5. In a Washing machine, the combination of a drive member, a dasher, asupport for the dasher surrounding the drive member and axially movablerelative thereto, resilient means interposed between the support and thedrive member and normally tending to move the das er in one directionrelative to the drive member, and means connecting the dasher with thedrive member and adjustable axially of the dasher.

6. In a Washing machine, the combination of a drive shaft, a crank pinconnected with the drive shaft in set relation thereto, a headsurrounding the crank pin and journaled thereon, a dasher having a lowerportion connected with the head and having an upper portion projectingabove the head and the crank pin, a rigid member extending upwardly inthe dasher with a lower end portion of said member connected with thehead and with an upper end portion thereof connected with the upperportion of the dasher, and means seated on the upper end of the crankpin and supporting said member thereon.

7. In a washing machine, the combination of a drive shaft, a crank pinconnected with the drive shaft in offset relation thereto, a headsleeved over the crank pin, a dasher supported on the head andsurrounding the head and the crank pin and having a portion extending toa point above the crank pin, a sleeve member connected with the head andsurrounding the crank pin and extending upwardly to a point above theupper end of the crank pin, and means seated on the upper end of thecrank pin and connected with said sleeve member for supporting the head,and means connecting the upper end portion of the sleeve member with theupper end portion of the dasher.

8. In a washing machine, the combination of a drive shaft, a crank pinconnected with the drive shaft in offset relation thereto, a headsurrounding the crank pin and journaled thereon, a dasher having a lowerportion connected with the head and having an upper portion projectingabove the head and the crank pin, a rigid member extending upwardly inthe dasher with a lower end portion of said member connected with thehead and with an upper end portion thereof connected with the upperportion of the dasher, means seated on the upper end of the crank pinand supporting said member thereon, and means for adjusting the dasheraxially relative to said upwardly extending member While maintaining theconnection between the dasher and the head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.16,758 Churchill Oct. 4, 1927 1,635,402 Getz July 12, 1927 1,681,464Cameto Aug. 21, 1928 2,105,218 Kirby Jan. 11, 1938 2,186,786 Jensen Ian.9, 1940 2,192,758 Skinner Mar. 5, 1940 2,416,611 Castricone Feb. 25,1947 2,535,390 Castricone Dec. 26, 1950 2,561,213 Mahowald July 17, 1951FOREIGN PATENTS 479,236 Canada Jan. 31, 1939

